Pleating and fastening device



Aug. 11, 1959 Filed Dec. 14, 1956 S. LEVINSTEIN PLEATING AND FASTENINGDEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 11, 1959 s. LEVINSTEIN PLEATING ANDFASTENING DEVICE 'F' iled Dec. 14, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 11, 1959s. LEVINSTEIN 2,398,594

PLEATING AND FASTENING DEVICE Filed Dec. 14. 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 14, 1956 mm a N ww AV Aug. 11, 1959S.LEV|NSTE|N PLEATING AND FASTENING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec.14, 1956 EOZMJOM m2: U( N 90233 2,898,594 Patented Aug. 11, 1959 UnitedStates Patent "Ofiice PLEATING AND FASTENING DEVICE Stanley Levinstein,Far Rockaway, N.Y., assignor to Home Curtain Corporation, Far Rockaway,N.Y., a corporation of New York Application December 14, 1956, SerialNo. 628,451

3 Claims. (01. 1-118) This invention relates generally to the field ofdraperies, and more particularly to animproved form of pleating deviceadapted to simultaneously form a plurallty of pleats in a textile orsynthetic resinous planar material, and maintain the same in pleatedform prior toa sewing operation for permanently maintaining the pleat inposition.

It is among the principal objects of the invention to provide a deviceof the class described'which materially simplifies the forming of thepleats and permits the Same to be produced at a very high rate. I

Another object of the inventionlies in the provision of a combinationpleatingand fastening device adapted to form a plurality of pleats in aplanar material, and to staple the same in position for sewing as acontinuous cycle of operation.

Another object of the invention lies inthe provision of a device of theclass described in which the cost of manufacture may be of a reasonablylow order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of animproved pleating and fastening-device which may be easily andconveniently operated by those possessing only ordinary skill in theart, and which requires the exertion of little effort on the part of theuser.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the device possesses nocomponent parts which might possibly damage the fabric being processed,despite a high rate of productivity.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends andadvantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of thefollowing disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference charactershave been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a fragmentary view in perspective showing an embodiment ofthe invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary viewin perspective showing the sideopposite that shown on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged viewin elevation corresponding to theupper portion of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view inperspective corresponding tothe lower righthand portion of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view corresponding toFigure 6, but showing an alternate relative position of the componentparts of the device.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view as seenfrom'the plane 6-45 on Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing a completed staple pleat asproduced 'bythe device.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the pleatforming element which comprises a part of the device.

Figure 9 is a'fragmentary end elevational view as seen from the righthand portion of Figure 8.

Figure 10 'is a fragmentary plan view of the pleat forming element asseen from the upper portion of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical central sectional view showing thedevice with a first relative position of certain moving parts thereof.

Figure 12 is a similar fragmentary central vertical sectional viewshowing .an altered relative position of the same component parts.

Figqire 13 is a'fragmentary enlarged view in perspective correspondinggenerally to that seen on Figure l, but showing the lower portionthereof in larger scale.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to thecentral portion of Figure 11, during which time the parts aremoving inthe positions indicated by the arrows above and below'the figure.

:Figure '15 is a similar view illustrating the relativeposition ofthepivotally mounted cams during a return stroke.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevational view as seen from the plane 16-16 on Figure 14.

Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing electrical and pneumaticsystems comprising a part of the device, and their interconnection.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated byreference character 10, comprises broadly; abase element 11, apleat-forming element 13 and a fastener inserting device 14.

The base element 11 may comprise'part of a table or other suitablesupporting means (not shown) for positioning the device upon a floor orother work surface, and includes a horizontally disposed support member16, a work supporting surface 17, outer pleat-forming -walls 18 and 19,and inner pleat-forming walls 20 and '21. The walls 18-21 areprovidedwith cut-out iportions 22 to accommodate the fastener insertingdevice 14during operation, the walls also forming elongated channels 23, 24 and25, the purpose of which will become more clearly apparent in theprogress of the disclosure. Side wall members 26 and 27 support across.member 28 upon which thefastener inserting device 14 is mounted.

The pleat-forming element 13 includes a fixed mountingmember 30supported by the baseelement 11. The member 30comprises an end wall 31,a bottom Wall 32, side walls 33 and 34. Springs 36 interconnectthe sidewalls 33- 34 with a lower frame 52 mounted for reciprocal movement withrespect thereto. Mounted rearwardly of-the-wall 31 is an air cylinder 37fed by hoses 38 and 39. A piston rod -40 (see Figure 8) extends from thecylinder 37 and connects with an upper frame 41 which is mounted forhorizontal reciprocationwithin the mounting member 30.

The upper frame-41 includes apluralityof cam drive members 42, 43-and-44, each of whichis provided with IBPP "or pulled without tearing orother damage.

rack 51 on a lower frame 52. Corresponding horizontal axis rollers 54and vertical axis rollers 53 guide the .lower frame 52 for movementparallel to that of the upper frame 41 within the mounting member 30,and from a consideration of Figure 8, it will be apparent that motionimparted to the upper frame will be transmitted through the gear 50 tothe lower frame in an opjposite direction.

As seen on Figure '8, the rearward end 56 of the lower frame 52 isprovided with a bracket pivotally supporting a plurality ofpleat-forming members 58, 59 and 60 for axial movement thereabout. Thepleat-forming members 58-60 are generally similar, each including a camfollower member 61 and a cam follower spring 62 which raises the members58-60 to the position shown on Figure- 8. Tapered end portions 63 arepositioned to move into the above mentioned channels 23, 24 and 25 whene the lower frame 52 is in the position shown on Figures 8 and 10.. Asbest seen on Figure 2 of the drawing, the

lower frame is adapted to close the circuit of a micro switch 64 .whenthe lower frame is in the position shown on-Figures 8 and 10, whichprovides means for governthe action of the fastening device 14, as willmore fully "Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the fastener inserting device14.includes a vertically mounted air cylinder 70 supported by a cylindermounting plate 71 which is in turn bolted to the cross member 28. Apiston rod 72 connects with an upper actuator bar 73 from which "dependactuating arms 74. The arms 74 are similar,

:the guide bar between the upper and lower actuator bars 73 and 80respectively. A second guide bar 85 and spring 86 (see lefthand portionof Figure 3) is interconnected in a manner similar to that of the siderod 78, and functions in a similar manner.

Operation The 'operation of the device will be apparent from a.consideration of Figures 3 and 8.

The fabric to be pleated is placed upside down upon the work supportingsurface 17, with a portion of the edge thereof overlying thepleat-forming walls 18-21. The cycle is commenced by closing anelectrical circuit (not shown) which causes the air cylinder 37 topropel the upper frame -41 ina rightward direction. As seen on Figures 8and 10 during the rightward stroke, the cams progressively strike thecam follower members 61 on each of the pleatforming members 58, 59 and60. As seen on Figures .5 and 6, the action is such that the centrallydisposed pleat-forming member 59 forms a first pleat 87, followingwhich: the outer pleat-forming members 58 and 60 form pleats 88 and 89,respectively. By forming the pleats in this manner, the'material 100 maybe stretched Continued movement of the upper frame 41 in a rightwarddirection results in movement of the lower frame 52 in a leftwarddirection, this action withdrawing the pleatforming members 5860 fromthe channels 23, 24 and 25. When the lower frame has reached itsleftwardmost position as seen on Figure 8, the switch 64 (see positionshown on Figure 3.

Figure 2) is closed, permitting actuation of a valve controlling the aircylinder 70 of the fastener inserting device 14 and starting a presettimer (not shown). The piston rod 72 moves downwardly causing both theupper actuating bar 73 and lower actuating bar to move downwardly untilthe stop collar 79 contacts the cross member 28. In this position, thestapler 82 is positioned as shown on Figure 6, and further downwardmovement of the upper actuating bar 73 causes the rollers 75 to coactwith the cams 83 to force a staple 90 through the formed pleat 87, 88and 89.

The preset timer then releases the controlling valve and permits the airpressure within the cylinder 70 to be reversed and start the fastenerinserting element in an upward motion, opening the staple insertingdevice 82. During this motion, the springs 81 and 86 return the bar 80,which moves relative to the bar 73, to the The formed and stapled pleatis then removed from the channels 23, 24 and 25 by pulling forwardly onthe material 100. The operator releases a foot operated air valve (notshown) permitting the spring 36 to return the lower frame 52 to itsoriginal position for the commencement of another cycle. Referring toFigure 7 on the drawing, a line of stitches indicated by referencecharacter 92 is then placed as shown to completely secure the pleats inpermanent orientation.

It may thus be seen that there has been invented novel and highly usefulimprovements in pleating and fastening devices which permits the formingof pleats in textile or other flexible planar material and themaintenance of the same prior to permanent stitching. The device, wheredesired, may be interconnected to operate in unison with similardevices, whereby an entire series of pleats may be formed as a singleoperation, the bank of devices being under control of a single operator.Although the device is primarily useful in the processing of textilefabrics, the same may also be employed in conjunction with sheetsynthetic resinous materials without further adaptation.

It is to be understood that it is not considered that theinvention islimited to the specific details of structure shown and set forth in thisspecification, for ob vious modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art to'which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. 'A device for forming pleats in curtains and similar articlescomprising: a base member having a plurality of elongated channelstherein; a pleat-forming element including first and secondreciprocating frames mounted for movement in parallel planes; first andsecond rack means mounted upon said first and second frames,respectively, and interconnected through a gear having a fixed axis ofrotation; said first frame having camming means thereon; said secondframe having elongated pleat forming for movement in parallel planes;first and second rack means mounted upon said first and second frames,respectively, and interconnected through a gear having a fixed axis ofrotation; said first frame having camming means thereon;'said secondframe having elongated pleat forming members insertable within saidchannels in said base element, said pleat forming members having camfollower means thereon engageable with said camming means; and afastener inserting device adapted to secure formed pleats in pleatedcondition, said fastener inserting device being activated by movement ofsaid pleat-forming members.

3. A device for forming pleats in curtains and similar articlescomprising: a base member having a plurality of elongated channelstherein; a pleat-forming element including first and secondreciprocating frames mounted for movement in parallel planes; first andsecond rack means mounted upon said first and second frames,respectively, and interconnected through a gear having a fixed axis ofrotation; said first frame having camrning means thereon; said secondframe having elongated pleatforming members insertable within saidchannels in said 10 2,232,051

base element, said pleat-forming members having cam follower meansthereon engageable with said camming 6 means; and fastening meansadapted to secure formed pleats in pleated condition, said fasteningmeans including a staple setting device activated by movement of saidpleat-forming members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,970Howe Feb. 24, 1843 Cook et al. Feb. 18, 1941 2,551,808 Minns May 8, 19512,669,955 Gellman Feb. 23, 1954

